Mark Decoteau | Oppose HB314

As a Municipal Manager with over 30 years of experience in New Hampshire local government, I oppose this bill as I believe it will curtail most if not all input from local government to the Legislature. Municipal staff members such as Town and City Managers, Town Clerks and Tax Collectors, Assessing Officials and public utility staff members have decades of experience with issues relating to proposed legislation. If this bill were to pass, it appears that none of these individuals would be able to present testimony or publicly answer questions from members of the Legislature. As I read the proposed language of the bill these individuals could, in fact, be charged with a misdemeanor if they provided such information to the Legislature. I do not think it is good public policy for the Legislature to exclude information and opinions from individuals with all of the practical experience in a subject area when they are considering adopting a new law or modifying an existing law. I urge the committee to find this bill Inexpedient to Legislate. Thank you for your consideration of my position. Mark Decoteau, Town Manager, Town of Waterville Valley.